Ghanaians advised to refocus attention on indigenous knowledge

Tamale, Professor David Millar, a former Pro-vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), has advised Ghanaians to refocus attention on their essential indigenous knowledge and rich culture to help improve their well-being.

He said this could be done by undertaking local initiatives that were determined, led, and controlled by citizens as well as drawing both internal and external resources for development.

Prof Millar gave the advice at the weekend during an inaugural lecture on: “Endogenous Development: Re-visiting indigenous knowledge in contemporary sciences,” in Tamale.

The lecture was supported by some staff of the UDS and other stakeholders in Tamale.

He, however, cautioned that it did not mean that citizens should isolate themselves from the outside world and the opportunities that might be available to support local knowledge.

Prof Millar disclosed that some development innovations needed to be adopted to help end the bushfires and Fulani herdsmen menace to the promotion and production of bamboo in the north.

He said these innovations were supported it would go a long way to help achieve the government’s “One District, One Factory” programme in the country.

Prof Millar said he had developed a way of converting grass into charcoal and firewood as an alternative to stop burning the bushes and cutting down of economic trees.

He said this innovation would help ensure a great transformation especially in the north since the grass could be harvested and changed into value and also serving as a source of employment.

Prof Millar said the menace of the Fulani herdsmen could be solved by integrating the herdsmen to the forest reserve to serve as forest pasture and grazing grounds.

He said this would manage the forest reserve and also stop the confusion and conflicts between the herdsmen and communities.

Prof Millar added that the government’s aim of cultivating 50,000 hectors of bamboo would be possible in the north since it has vast lands that could support its cultivation.

He said the cultivation would equally help support the government’s One Village, One Dam initiative by cultivating some of the bamboos along the river banks and water bodies for protection.